The Lowell car owner has entered the $45,000 SBM 125 IV Tour Modified Open at Star Speedway in Epping, N.H.

Last June, Stuart's car didn't qualify for the main event. It was the most competitive field of cars for any Modified race all season. Stuart returns with former NASCAR Modified Tour champion Todd Szegedy as his driver, and Szegedy is confident he can bring Stuart a victory and the close to $10,000 winners share.

"I'm looking forward to going there," the Connecticut driver said. "We almost won that race the only time I ever raced there two years ago. I just had a knack for the track for whatever reason.

"The last two races we've got the car awesome. I really believe once you figure out the balance of a race car you basically go to any track, tweak on it a little bit and be good. I'm really confident that Star is going to be good for us."

Szegedy is also entered in next month's NASCAR Modified event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

He was among a dozen Modified race teams at NHMS on Monday for a test session in a car owned by North Carolina car builder Rob Fuller.

For Stuart, bringing Szegedy to Star could be just what is needed to get him to victory lane at his home track, but he will face tough competition from all three 2013 Modified Touring Champions.

Ryan Preece, Rowan Pennink and Matt Hirschman will all be in the field, plus Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford.

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The 2011 SBM 125 winner is bringing a new car from his Chelmsford garage.

This Star event will be the highest paying race in track history, surpassing an International Classic Supermodified event held some 30 years ago.

Russ Wood Jr., from Pelham, N.H., is also entered in the event. Rob MacRae of Billerica is among the entrants in the companion Outlaw Late Model event.

Racing for Saturday's event begins at 5:15 p.m., with the main event, the 125-lap, fourth annual SBM 125 scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m.

Not to be outdone, New Hampshire's Hudson Speedway brings in the Granite State Pro Stock Series for an event on Sunday, featuring hometown favorite teen Derek Griffith. Pelham native George Helliwell will be making his Pro Stock debut for the 100-lap event.

"I want to keep the car on pavement and out of the pond," Helliwell joked. "All kidding aside, I have a lot to learn, so I need to become a student once again. Stay out of trouble and learn from the veterans."

Helliwell is the brother of two-time ACT Champion Wayne Helliwell Jr. This event is part of a full card of racing at Hudson, with many area drivers in competition in the weekly racing divisions. The Rookie Stocks, Roadrunners and Thunder Lights are all on the schedule. Racing begins at 4:03 p.m.

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